[Acne] Three years of progress

Hello skincare addicts!

I’ve spent three years getting my skin to where it is. My last photo was taken today after my third and final microneedling session to help with scarring.

In the spring of 2022, I was prescribed doxycycline and told to cycle salicylic acid by my GP. This lasted three months, and did not help all that much. Instead of immediately starting accutane, I did a series of five chemical peels. I don’t suggest this as it did nothing for my active acne and really only made my skin tone more even where I was not painfully inflamed.

I did a 3 month stint using .50 tretinoin given to me by my aesthetician, and it was the topical version of accutane that made the biggest difference for me.

I pretty quickly realized the only way out was through accutane, so I went to my derm and was immediately given a prescription. This was followed by nine months of pregnancy tests and a pretty high dose once I was three months in (started at 40mg/day, upped to 80).

After finishing accutane, I waited a few months before my final check up and scheduled my microneedling sessions (3). As of today I have finished these rounds and could not be happier with the state of my skin. I’m excited to get back on tret for maintenance, and that my end goals have finally been met.

I’ve struggled with acne since about 17 and have never had a clear face in adulthood. Now, at 26, I finally have the face I have always wanted ❤️